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Episode 48: The Sword Demon (1)

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Jin Myeong, who returned to the Heavenly Demon Sect, was staying in seclusion at his residence.

‘If you look at it this way, it really wasn’t that bad.’

Although the Crazy Demon intervened, things did not escalate into a war with the Mount Hua or the Gongdong Sect.

It was just a minor bump, but since this is a common occurrence in the martial arts world, it may not be mentioned in the novel.

As always, the Orthodox Alliance and the Heavenly Demon Sect were growling at each other.

‘So, there’s no huge reward?’

Although the mission was completed properly, the reward from the Heavenly Demon was not great.

It was just a few elixirs and some money, but to Jin Myeong, who had been struggling to fight Purple Cloud Sword God and Gongdong Twin Elders, it felt too little.

‘Is it because I feel like I’m the only one who’s had a hard time?’

No matter how much Jin Myeong thought about it, of all the people who had been to the Central Plain, he seemed to have had the hardest time.

‘The question is more how should I use this?’

Jin Myeong quietly looked at the treasure which he sneaked away from the Cloud Escort Agency after robbing from Yukga Escort Agency.

The key to obtaining the swordsmanship left behind by the first Heavenly Demon.

However, having this key alone does not give the holder the swordsmanship.

‘You have to go into the Heavenly Demon Castle, where only Heavenly Demon can enter.’

The training ground for all the Heavenly Demons of all time is Heavenly Demon Castle.

And in the novel, the main character Kang Mu-hwi enters the place with Shin Ye-hyang’s help and obtains the swordsmanship left behind by Heavenly Demon.

‘How can I get into that Heavenly Demon Castle?’

Mok Ja-gyeong, who was the Heavenly Demon at that time, did not know about that Heavenly Demon Castle.

‘If you look at it, he doesn’t seem like a normal Heavenly Demon.’

Since he had not officially inherited the position of leader from Heavenly Demon, there were many things he did not know about the Heavenly Demon Sect.

But the current Heavenly Demon, unlike that Mok Ja-gyeong, would know about Heavenly Demon Castle.

And obviously, Jin Myeong will not be allowed into Heavenly Demon Castle.

‘There is also a saying that there is a secret to the Heavenly Demon Castle.’

It wasn’t a place you could go to just by making a small contribution.

‘Becoming a Young Senior Leader, or achieving great feats.’

‘For example, saving the lives of Heavenly Demon and Crazy Demon from Mok Ja-gyeong’s dagger.’

‘No matter how much I think about it, it doesn’t seem like Mok Ja-gyeong would be able to kill those two people.’

It was unclear whether Mok Ja-gyeong killed the two people, or whether the two people had a problem and Mok Ja-gyeong became Heavenly Demon.

Jin Myeong had to somehow find out why and when Heavenly Demon and Crazy Demon lost their lives.

‘I need to have a little more influence to figure that out.’

‘I can’t keep spending time like this.’

‘Young Senior Leader… … . I guess it would be good if it could be done?’

‘If I become a Young Senior Leader, I will be able to obtain the swordsmanship left behind by the first Heavenly Demon in Heavenly Demon Castle, and I will be able to travel around Heavenly Demon Castle more freely, investigate the events related to the deaths of Heavenly Demon and Crazy Demon, and prepare for them.’

“Where are you going?”

“To the Vice Sect Leader.”

When Jin Myeong, who had been staying in seclusion for a long time, showed up, Yang Jeon made a puzzled expression.

“Huh? Again, all of a sudden?”

“Right.”

It seemed like something like this had happened before Jin Myeong left.

“How about getting an appointment first this time?”

Jin Myeong nodded at Yang Jeon’s words. Because Vice Sect Leader’s estate wasn’t something he could just drop by every now and then.

“Then please.”

“All right.”

“As soon as possible.”

Jin Myeong left the meeting with the Vice Sect Leader to Yang Jeon and headed straight to the training ground.

This mission allowed him to learn a lot about his shortcomings.

First of all, the Ashura Sword Form.

Since Jin Myeong still not used to it, he ended up relying more on the Heavenly Demon Divine Finger Art and Sword Control Art than the Ashura Sword Form.

‘I have to get used to fighting while moving on my own.’

So that I can swing my sword without panicking in real combat.

‘And the Footwork technique.’

What is most lacking at present is this very method.

Jin Myeong realized this more clearly as he fought against Purple Cloud Sword God. He couldn’t even distance himself from Purple Cloud Sword God.

‘I also need to practice swordsmanship while moving with the sword.’

The Footwork technique that Jin Myeong learned was very basic.

It was a straight, uncomplicated movement that allowed Jin Myeong to unfold, but it didn’t produce much speed.

‘I thought it was a quick fix.’

There are two solutions.

Either learn a more complex technique or learn a faster technique.

Jin Myeong chose the latter.

‘No matter how much I think about it, the secret method left behind by the first Heavenly Demon is really fast.’

A secret technique that was seen in the secret room that was with Jin Myeong when he obtained the Heavenly Demon Sword Control Art.

This was a technique he tried to master in a cave, but gave up because he kept falling over.

The movement itself was not much different from the current method.

‘Can I learn it now?’

Because it was a technique that allowed him to move at incredible speeds and surround himself with strong energy when necessary, destroying anything that stood in his way, the movement of his Internal Energy was complex.

That’s why Jin Myeong didn’t think about learning the method even though he was able to do so.

But now it’s different.

At that time, Jin Myeong had to concentrate all his mind on the Heavenly Demon Sword Control Art, but now it seemed like he could only learn this technique.

‘Is this an unrefined version of the Heavenly Demon King?’

It is similar to the Heavenly Demon Dominating Footwork, but different.

Unlike the Heavenly Demon Dominating Footwork, which is perfect in both speed and destructive power, this technique focuses more on speed.

‘So, the first Heavenly Demon must have abandoned it.’

But for Jin Myeong now, this method was the best method.

He immediately began to unfold the nameless martial art that the first Heavenly Demon had abandoned.

‘Slowly. But precisely.’

He began to unfold his technique, mindful of the movement of his inner strength and careful not to twist his feet.

From then on, Jin Myeong’s routine changed.

He started going to the practice range every day and practicing a method he named Ashura Steps.

After becoming accustomed to the Ashura Steps, he started to use the Sura Sword form along with the method.

‘This is difficult.’

It’s not difficult to just unfold it on the outside.

But the moment you start to care about the movement of Internal Energy, things start to get very complicated.

‘I was confident in handling the Internal Energy.’

It seemed like it would take a long time to perfectly display the Ashura Steps and Ashura Sword Forms.

“Young Master!”

As Jin Myeong continued to practice, Yang Jeon appeared.

“A reply has arrived from the Vice Sect Leader.”

The Crazy Demon’s permission was granted.

Jin Myeong immediately prepared and headed to the auxiliary building.

“I meet the Vice Sect Leader.”

“You’re finally decided to come.”

Jin Myeong returned to the Heavenly Demon Sect and never once sought out the Vice Sect Leader.

Since the Crazy Demon hadn’t called him, he figured there was no reason for him to come.

“I heard you were quite active in the Central Plains.”

Crazy Demon knew that Jin Myeong had earned the nickname of Divine Demonic Fang by fighting against Gongdong Twin Elders and the Cloud Dragon Sword.

But he too couldn’t help but be surprised when he heard that Jin Myeong had faced Purple Cloud Sword God.

“It’s all thanks to the Vice Sect Leader.”

“You really are good at talking nonsense.”

Wasn’t it true that Jin Myeong became famous not because of the Ashura Sword Form given to him by Crazy Demon, but because of the Heavenly Demon Sword Control Art that he had been learning from the beginning?

The story was that it had nothing to do with madness.

“Still, it was thanks to the Vice Sect Leader that I was able to get the opportunity and go out.”

“That’s enough.”

At Jin Myeong’s words, Crazy Demon laughed and waved his hand.

“By the way, what brings you here?”

“I came because I felt I needed to gain some real power.”

“Hmm. Is the power of the Vice Sect Leader not enough?”

Jin Myeong shook his head at Crazy Demon’s question.

“Do you plan on stepping forward yourself, Vice Sect Leader?”

“…….”

‘Of course not.’

‘He never once thought of coming forward and fighting.’

“But I can lend you the Mad Wind Squad.”

“Of course, the Mad Wind Squad are strong, but they alone are not enough.”

“So, you want me to create a force?”

“No, I just came because there was someone I wanted to meet.”

“Are you talking about the Elders?”

The Elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect, The Sword Demon (Geomma).

A person of the highest status after the leader, Heavenly Demon, and the vice leader, Crazy Demon.

And he is the one who does not lend his strength to any of the disciples of the cult leader.

“Right.”

As soon as Jin Myeong heard from Yang Jeon that The Sword Demon was maintaining neutrality, Jin Myeong thought he had to involve him.

The first mention of the Sword Demon was right before the Heavenly Demon Sect was defeated by the Orthodox Alliance and destroyed.

There was a scene where people were lamenting that if only there was a hidden The Sword Demon, they wouldn’t have lost to the Orthodox Alliance in vain.

‘He must have left Heavenly Demon Sect because he didn’t like Mok Ja-gyeong’s sermon.’

‘So, I thought that if I persuaded them well, I might be able to get them to join in.’

“Are you confident that you can get his support?”

“I don’t know because I’ve never met him before.”

“I can arrange a meeting place, but I have no intention of helping you.”

“Of course.”

It was a cold-hearted remark from Crazy Demon, but Jin Myeong immediately agreed.

‘If I bring him in with the help of the Vice Sect Leader, then he is not my person.’

What Jin Myeong needs now is someone he can trust.

No matter how much the Vice Sect Leader supported him, he never directly intervened, so no one approached Jin Myeong.

“You’re trying to grab something too big from the start.”

Crazy Demon was confident that Jin Myeong would not be able to attract The Sword Demon.

Unlike himself, who had a connection with Jin Myeong’s father, the Sword Demon had no such connection.

“Anyway, since you promised to help, I’ll do this much.”

“Thank you.”

Jin Myeong thanked Crazy Demon and returned to his residence.

“How was your trip?”

“He said he would arrange a meeting with the Elder.”

Yang Jeon’s expression hardened when the Elder was mentioned.

“No, why are you suddenly seeing the Elder again?”

“I wanted to ask for support.”

“Yes? Is that okay?”

Yang Jeon’s expression became one of disbelief.

“No, why would an Elder support you, Young Master?”

“I have to convince him of that.”

“I see! Then I guess Young Master, have a good way to persuade the Elder?”

Yang Jeon looked at Jin Myeong with a dumbfounded expression.

“Is there such a thing?”

“Huh?”

“I don’t know much about the Elder, but is there anything that the Elder likes?”

“Why do you ask me that? Wasn’t it you, Young Master, who made the appointment with the Elder?”

Yang Jeon pounded his chest as if he was frustrated.

No matter how much he pounded him chest, something tightly blocking it wouldn’t go down.

“But he’s an Elder of the Demonic Sect, so why don’t I show my strength?”

“…I didn’t know that Young Master could be so reckless.”

Yang Jeon thought Jin Myeong was a very systematic person, but now Jin Myeong seems like someone who just does things without any plan.

“So, there really aren’t any weaknesses or anything like that for the Elder?”

“Doesn’t exist,” Yang Jeon shook his head without any hesitation.

Would there be any weaknesses for the Sword Demon, who holds the most power after the Sect Leader and Vice Sect Leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect?

“Really? That’s too bad.”

But unlike what he said, there was no trace of regret in Jin Myeong’s voice.

“Are you really sorry?”

“That’s true, I tell you.”

Jin Myeong picked up his sword again and moved towards the training ground.

Yang Jeon, who was left alone, could only quietly watch Jin Myeong’s leisurely back.

And a few days later, Jin Myeong was facing an old man.

‘How could this guy be a Sword Master?’

A person who does not appear at all in the novel, and is only mentioned by name.

Jin Myeong felt a great deal of pressure from the skinny old man who seemed to have difficulty even holding a sword.

“Why did Your Majesty the Youngest Disciple of Heavenly Demon come to see this old man?”

The old man’s tone was so gentle that Jin Myeong felt the tension in his body relax without realizing it.

“That too through the Vice Sect Leader.”

But the words that came after that were rebuking Jin Myeong.

In fact, if it weren’t for the Vice Sect Leader, Jin Myeong would not have met The Sword Demon.

None of the disciples of Heavenly Demon had ever had such an exclusive relationship with the Elder Swordsman.

“I had a favor to ask of the Elder, so I had no choice but to ask the Vice Sect Leader.”

“Oh. The Youngest Disciple has a favor to ask. So, what is it?”

It’s almost like listening to a cute grandson’s request.

But Jin Myeong could tell that The Sword Demon wasn’t interested in what he was saying.

“Please lend me your strength.”

“Then what does the old man gain?”

As Jin Myeong had expected, The Sword Demon’s reaction was lukewarm.

He already enjoyed absolute power in the Heavenly Demon Sect. Anything Jin Myeong could do, The Sword Demon could do too.

“You already have everything, Elder. What else could you wish for?”

“Haha. Stop beating around the bush and just talk.”

It seemed like the Sword Demon didn’t like long conversations.

“There is nothing to hear.”

“Is that so? Then I guess this story ends here.”

The Sword Demon tried to get up from his seat as if it was no longer worth listening to.

“If things continue like this, Eldest disciple of Heavenly Demon will become a Young Senior Leader and then a Sect Leader.”

“That would be true. But what’s the problem with that?”

“I thought the Elder hated Senior Brother Mok very much, but I guess it wasn’t so.”

“Why do you think so?”

The Sword Demon smiled as if it was nothing like that.

‘Did I get it wrong?’

In the novel where Mok Ja-gyeong becomes the leader, I thought that The Sword Demon hated Mok Ja-gyeong because he disappeared.

But looking at the reactions now, it seems that it is okay for The Sword Demon, if Mok Ja-gyeong became the Sect Leader.

“So, is that really the end of the story? Do you have nothing more to offer?”

“That’s right. I have nothing more to offer you, Elder.”

The Sword Demon stood up as if he had nothing more to hear.

“Oh, by the way.”

The Sword Demon, who was about to go out, stopped walking again after hearing Jin Myeong’s continued words.

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“I can help Elder with his grandson.”

“…….”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

“You’d better watch your mouth.”

“Haha. That’s right.”

Even though it felt like he was on thin ice, Jin Myeong was still smiling.

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